Mounting for switches and the like



Febo w, 1942. H, CATRON MOUNTING FOR SWITCHES AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 9, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 M, 4% wk Aha, n 3 a w m in; a u 0 u zna 0 0M3 .g 5 1. I. k a M M, mm m w a ym 5 0 a Jfl 6 W/Q a f 1 W6 3 i n I u MW 6 J a J 2 r% J .MW

Feb; 10, 1942;. H. CATRON 2,272,688

MOUNTING FOR SWITCHES AND THE LIKE Filed Nov, 9, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb, 10, 1942. H. CATRON 2,272,8

MOUNTING FOR SWITCHES AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 9, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 fax/anions Feb. W, 1942. H. CATRON 2,272,538

MOUNTING FOR SWITCHES AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 9, 1959 4 Sheets-SheeiA Jmmzors #04 040 (/Prfan; Dscssusp, f! 14494 75,6 Ivan M01;

a/wlwanearae 4N0 fen/w, "lparraeae Patented Feb. 10, 1942 OFF-ICE MOUNTING FOR SWITCHES AND THE LIKE Harold Catron, deceased, late of Logansport, Ind., by Walter Newman, administrator, and Frank A. Dotterer, Logansport, Ind., assignors to R-B-M Manufacturing Company, Logansport, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application November 9, 1939, Serial No. 303,606

8 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to mounting means and is more particularly concerned with means for mounting electrical units, such as light and dimmer switches and starting solenoids for automobiles.

The object and general nature of this invention is the provision of mounting means for switches and the like in which the attachment of the part to be mounted can be done readily and quickly, yet the attachment is firm and secure and not likely to loosen or rattle at any time.

More specifically it is a feature of this invention to provide attaching means for switches and the like which is in the nature of a bayonet-type connection, with biased means yieldably holding the parts in position, yet permitting either connection or disconnection to be eiiected quickly and simply with practically one motion.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentto those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred construction, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:.

Figure 1 is av plan view of a dimmer switch and mounting embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view, taken generally along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing parts of the switch mechanism;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary section showing the manner of securing the plunger tube and mounting bracket to the switch case;

Figure 5 is an enlarged section taken along the line 55 of Figure 1;

Figures 6 and 7 are perspective views, respectively, of the mounting bracket and holding spring; Y

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing the action of the mounting bracket and holding spring in fastening a switch or other unit to the panel receiving it;

Figures 9 and 10 are plan and sectional views of a modified form of switch unit and mounting therefor, arranged particularly for instrument panel mounting;

Figure 11 shows the mounting cup secured to the instrument panelto receive the unit shown in Figures 9 and 10;

Figure 12 is a f:agmentary view taken generally along the line |2l2 of Figure 10, certain parts being omitted for purposes of clarity; and

Figures.13 and 14 show the application of the present invention to a starting solenoid mounting.

Referring now more particularly to'Figures 1 to 8, which show a dimmer switch constructed and mounted according to the principles of the present invention, the reference numeral I indicates a plate or panel, which may be disposed adjacent the clutch pedal so as to be conveniently accessible to the foot of the operator, and the reference numeral 2 indicates the dimmer switch in its entirety. Foot dimmer switches are provided on automobiles and similar vehicles to provide for changing the light beam or beams of the headlights and, in general, consist of a unit having a movable part adapted to be depressed to change a switch contact member from one position to another and depressed a second time to change the contact member back to the first position, and so on.

The switch unit 2 comprises a switch casing 3 enclosing suitable switch mechanism 4, which will be described below, and a bracket or supporting plate 5 secured to and forming a part of the switch case 3, for supporting the same. A tube 1 is also secured to the bracket 5 and encloses an operating part in the form of a plunger 8 having a head 3 which is telescopically associated with the outer end-of the tube 1. The plunger or rod 8 is riveted at its outer end to the head 9 and, at its inner end, extends through an opening ll formed in theswitch casing bracket 5. The switch casing 3 is completed by an insulating block or plate I4 which carries three contacts 15,46, and H, with which terminals l8, l9, and 20 are associated, respectively. The side walls of the switch casing 3 are indicated at 2| and are provided with ears 22 (Figures 1 and 3) which are bent over the insulating block M to hold the latter in position. v

The contacts l5, l6, and H are in the form of rivets, the rounded heads Ilia, [6a, and I la of which are engaged by a movable switch contact member 23. the latter consisting of an insulating plate 24 and a metallic connecting member r' 25. The insulating plate 24 is provided with two openings 28 and 29, the latter receiving a pin 30 which is riveted to the bottom of the switch case 3. A plate 32 is shiftably mounted for movement along the bottom of the switch case 3 and has an end 33 turned upwardly and slotted, as at 34, and interengaged in a groove 35 formed at the inner end of the plunger rod 8. The slot 34 extends along the switch, and the pin 30 extends upwardly through the slot, as best shown in Figure 5. An extruded part-36 on the bracket serves to'hold the end 33 in the slot 34, as best shown in Figure 5.

A contact shifting member 31 is disposed above the shiftable plate 32 and is formed with a transverse slot 38 which receives the pin 30, as best shown in Figure 5. The plate 31 is provided with an upwardly extending arm 39 which enters the opening 28 of the movable contact member 23. and the plate 31 is also provided with laterally spaced lugs 4| and 42 and rear shouldered sections 44 and 45. The movable plate 32 is provided with a pair of laterally spaced projections 46 and 41 and a forward pair of laterally spaced projections 48 and 49. A spring 5| is disposed about the pin 30 and bears at its lower end against the transversely shiftable plate 3'! to hold the same down against the plate 32, and at its upper end the spring 5| bears against the shiftable contact member 23 to hold the same upwardly in engagement with the contact l5 and one or the other of the contacts |6 or H.

With the parts arranged as shown in Figures 3 and 5, when the plunger 8 is depressed and then released, the plate 32 is moved inwardly, which first moves the projections 48 and 49 away from the lugs 4| and 42, and then the projection 46 engages the shoulder 44 and swings the plate 31 in a counterclockwise direction (Figure 3), which shifts the contact member 23 from the position connecting the contacts l5 and I! over into a position connecting the contacts l5 and I6. The return of the plunger 8 under the influence of the spring l6 then brings the two projections 4B and 49 back into engagement with the plate 31, but on the other side of the lugs 4| and 42, which holds the plate 31 in its dotted line position (Figure 3), and thus maintains the contact member 23 in a position connecting the contacts |5 and I6 until the plunger 8 is again depressed, whereupon the plate 31 will be shifted back into its full line position (Figure 3) which swings the contact member 23 back into a position connecting the contacts |5 and IT.

The mounting bracket 5 which forms a part of the switch case 3 is of particular construction and comprises a plate having the form best shown in Figure 6. The bracket is provided with four generally rectangular openings 56 through which project tongues 51 (Figure 4) formed on the inner end of the tube 1, the tongues 5! being bent over to secure the tube 1 to the bracket 5. The bracket 5 also is provided with an extruded portion 58 (Figure 5) to which ears 59 formed on the switch case 3 are riveted, whereby the switch case is securely fixed to the bracket 5.

A pair of offset lugs 60 are formed on the bracket or plate 5 in generally diametrically opposed relation, the end portions of the lugs 60 being disposed in a plane spaced from the general plane of the bracket plate 5, as best shown in Figures 5 and 6. Generally axially directed connecting sections 6| join the lugs 69 to the plate 5, as best shown in Figure 5. One edge, as at 63, of each lug is bent outwardly to form a cam to facilitate mounting the switch in position on the panel or supporting plate I, as will be pointed out below.

A spring 65 of generally cruciform configuration, as best shown in Figure 7, is provided with two pairs, 66, 61 and 68, 69, of arms, and a central apertured section II which includes four recesses I2. As best shown in Figure 5, the spring 65 is secured to the bracket 5 between the tube I and the central ortion of the bracket plate 5,

the tongues 51 of the tube 1 passing through the notches 12, whereby the spring 65 is firmly and permanently clamped to the bracket 5. The spring member 65 is so formed that the arms 66, 6'! and 68, 69 curve or angle outwardly, and the pair of arms 68, 69 are bent outwardly at the ends, as at I3, to form sections which terminate short of the sides of the arms, thereby forming cams at the corners, as indicated at 14, so as to provide cam sections to facilitate the release of the switch, as will be described below. The arms 68, 69 havetheir edges opposite the cam sections l4 formed as stops 16.,

The panel or supporting member is provided with a central opening 18 with two diagonally opposed notches I9 extending outwardly from the central opening 18, as best shown in Figure 2. The opening 18 is large enough to receive the plunger tube and the cap 9, and when the switch unit is to be mounted in place on the panel or supporting member the tube 1 is inserted through the opening I8 from the left side (Figure 1) of the panel I. The switch, with its bracket 5, is brought into position so that the lugs 66 will pass through the notches 19, which brings the arms 66, 6'! and 68, 69 of the spring member 65 up against one side of the panel I while the lugs are disposed at the other side. Then the entire switch unit is pressed against the panel I and rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2, which causes the cam edges 63 of the arms 60 to ride up over the edges 19a of the opening 18, the rotation of the switch being continued until the parts occupy the positions indicated in Figures 2 and 8, with the lugs 69 hearing against one side of the panel I and held firmly thereagainst by the curved arms of the spring member 65. By the time the lugs 66 reach the position shown in Figures 2 and 8, the spring arms 68 and 69 snap into the notches l9, whereupon the abutment edges 16 of the spring arms 68 and 69 serve to limit the rotation of the switch in this direction. The arms 68 and 69 are, however, slightly wider than the notches 19, as best shown in Figure 2, so that the cam portions 14 of the switch arms 68 and 69 lie in engagement with the edges of the notches 19 0pposite the edges 19a. The spring arms 68, 69 therefore yieldingly hold the switch unit in place with the bracket 5 interlocked with the panel I, and with the lugs 60 lying on one side of the panel and the biasing spring 65 and the major portion of the bracket on the other side. (Figure 5). The other pair of arms 66, 61 of the spring 65 bear continually aaginst the side of the panel, maintaining the lugs 60 in firm engagement with the panel I, so that the switch unit cannot become loose and rattle, but is maintained tight at all times. When the operator steps on the plunger head 9 to actuate the dimmer switch, the lugs 66 bearing against one side of the panel I take the reaction of the operating force.

Since the cam edges 14 of the spring arm 68, 69 lie against the associated edges of the notches 19, it is a simple matter to detach the switch unit by rotating the same in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 2, which forcibly cams the spring arms 68 and 69 out of the notches 19 and permits the switch to be turned an amount sufficient to bring the lugs 60 in line with the notches l9, whereupon the switch may be withdrawn from the panel I.

The form of support or mounting described above is satisfactory for switches and the like which are mounted, for example, on the floor board f an automobile, or any other location where 316 presence of the lugs 60 and the notches 19 at the front side of the supporting panel member is not objectionable. However, an arrangement of this kind would not be desirable for mounting a switch or other part on an instrument panel of an automobile, or any other part normally within view or decorative in nature, unless, of course, some means were provided for masking the attaching lugs and associated parts, which are more utilitarian than decorative.

Referring now to Figures9 to 12, inclusive, the reference numeral 90 indicates a switch of the push-and-pull type, and a mounting therefor adapted to support the switch 90 on the instrument panel, with the operating member of the switch xtending through an opening in the panel but without otherwise disturbing the smooth appearance of the forward side of the instrument panel. The latter is indicated by the reference numeral 9| and, accordin to the present invention, is provided with a cup 92 spot-welded or otherwise secured to the back side of the panel 9|. The cup 92 is flanged, as at 93, this being the portion to which the spotwelding is applied, and the body portion of the cup 92 i provided with a central opening 95 and a pair of notches 96 extending from the opening in about the same formation as the opening I8 and notches 19 shown in Figure 2. The panel 9| has an opening 91 in axial alignment with the opening 95.

As best shown in Figure 10, the switch unit 90 includes a switch case 98 carrying an insulating block 99 to which terminals IOI, I02, I03, and I04 are fixed, as by contact rivets, the heads of which are disposed on the inside of the insulating block 99. A movable contact member I! is disposed for movement within the switch case 98 and comprises a plate I08 carrying a roller I09 and a pin H0, and formed at its forward end with a slotted lug III in which the inner end of an operating rod H2 is received. The rod is grooved, as indicated at H3, and interlocks with a slot H4 in the plate I08. A spring H6 is disposed about the pin H0 and bears downwardly at its lower end against the plate I08 and upwardly at its upper end against a movable contact block II! which carries a metallic contact plate II8 which, in one position of the switch, connects the terminals I 02 and I03 to the terminal IOI and, in the other position, connects the terminals I03 and I94 to the terminal IN.

Th botom of the switch case 98 is provided with depressions II9 receiving the roller I09 to afford a sensible indication of the position of the switch. When the roller I09 is disposed in the innermost depression, the switch is in its open position.

The switch operatin member or rod 2 extends outwardly through the forward end of the switch case and is slidably supported in a tubular rivet I2I which clamps an attaching bracket I22 to the forward end of the switch case. The clamping bracket I22 is, like the bracket 5 shown in Figure 6, provided with a pair of diametrically opposed offset attaching lugs I23, the ends of which are disposed in a plane parallel to but spaced from the general plane of the bracket itself. The head of tubular rivet I2I also secures a spring member I26 firmly and permanently to the bracket I22, the spring member I26 being in the general form of the sprin 65 shown in Figure 5, having two pairs of diametrically opposed arms I28, I29 and I39, I3I. The lugs I23 are each provided with a cam section I23a, and the spring arms I30, I3I are each provided with in- 3 clined cam and abutment portions I33 and I34 similar, respectively, to the cam and abutment sections 63 and 14 shown in Figure 7. An ornam ntal button I35 is adapted to be threaded onto or otherwise secured to the outer end of the switch operating member H2, after the switch is mounted in place. An extruded portion (not shown) on the bracket I22 enters an opening in the forward wall of the switch case so as to hold the bracket in its proper angular position.

The switch unit 90 is mounted in place in much the same way as the switch unit shown in Figures 1 to 8. The push button I35 is removed from the operating plunger H2 and then the latter is inserted through the opening 91 in the panel 9|, the switch casing being turned so that the lugs I23 enter the notches 96 formed in the cup 92'. The spring arms bear against the edge of the cup and when the switchis turned in the cup the cam edges I 23a of the lugs I23 ride up over the edges of the notches 96, stressing the spring arms I28, I29 and I30, I3I, the switch case being rotated until the spring arms I30, I3I snap into the notches 96, which holds the switch in place with the lugs I23 locked to the cup 92 in about the same manner that the lugs 60 are locked to the panel I in the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 6. The ends of the arms I and I3I are wider than the notches 96, so that while one edge I34 of each arm serves as an abutment engaging one edge of the associated notch 96, thereby limiting the rotation of the switch in one direction, the opposite or cam edge I33 of each arm bears against the opposite edge of the notch so that, while holding the switch in position, it permits the latter to be turned in the opposite direction to detach the same from the panel 9| when desired. After the switch has been attached in the manner just decribed, the push button I is threaded onto the operating rod II2, thereby completing the installation.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 8, the cam sections 14 on the spring arms 68 and 69 were merely inclined portions, as best shown in Figure 7, but in the form of the invention shown in Figures 9-to 12, the cam portions I 33 are formed as best shown in Figure 12, with a curved or angled part I33a and a fiat displaced portion I331), the latter lying against one side of the notched cup while the remainder of the spring arm is disposed within the associated notch, thereby holding the switch against inadvertent or accidental return movement to released position.

The present invention is not necessarily limited for use in switches in which an operating part or other member extends through the opening in the panel in which the switch unit is detachably mounted. Referring now to Figures 13 and 14, the reference numeral I indicates a solenoid assembly of an automobile starting system and which includes a casing I 4| closed by a cap I42 and enclosing a solenoid, one end of which is grounded to the casing MI and the other end of which is adapted to be connected to a source of energy through a terminal I43; The solenoid in the assembly shown is adapted, when energized, to connect two terminals I44 and I45, from one of which a cable extends to the body and from the other of which a cable extends to the starting motor.

The solenoid assembly also includes a mounting plate I41 which is riveted, as at I48, to one end of the casing MI. The outer end of the mounting plate I41 is bent downwardly, as indicated at I49, and is formed with a pair of offset lugs I5I and I52 provided with cam edges I53 and I54, being of the same general configuration of the bracket shown in Figure 6. The lugs I5I and I52 are offset from the general plane of the mounting plate section I49. A coupling spring I56 of substantially the same general form shown in Figures 7 and 12 is riveted, staked, or otherwise secured to the mounting plate bracket I49, preferably at four places, as indicated at I51. The spring I56 is provided with two pairs of arms I56, I59 and I66, I6I the latter having stop edges I63 and inclined cam sections I64.

The solenoid assembly I46 is adapted for mounting in the same manner as the units shown in Figures 1 to 12 and described above. The solenoid assembly may be mounted in.a plate or panel I65 of substantially the same form as the panels I and SI shown in Figures 1 and 9, having a central opening I66 and two diametrically opposed notches I61 and I68. The notches are so disposed that when the lugs I5I and I52 are inserted therein and the assembly then turned, the lugs interlock back of the panel I65, and in the locked position of the solenoid assembly the spring arms I60 and I6I snap into the notches I61 and I68 for yieldingly holding the solenoid assembly in position. The cam edges I64 are disposed against the associated edges of the notches so that the solenoid assembly may conveniently be removed merely by rotating the same back to a position in which the lugs can be removed through the notches I61 and I68. It is not necessary, of course, opening I66, since all that would be required would be the notches I61 and I68 with suitable openings or extensions to accommodate the movement of the lugs I5I and I52 into their locked position.

From the above description of the preferred means in which the principles of the present invention have been embodied, it will be noted that I have provided a mounting means for attaching an electrical or other unit in place merely by inserting suitable attaching lugs through associated openings in a supporting member and then rotating the unit into a locked position, at which time suitable spring means snap into the lug receiving recesses to prevent inadvertent or accidental backward movement of the unit to its released position while other spring arms bear continuously against the supporting member to hold the parts interlocked together. The spring arms that snap into the openings are arranged with cam edges to facilitate removal. of the unit, but the provision of such cam sections does not affect their eificacy in normally holding the unit in locked or attached position. Further, the locking spring arms, particularly together with the associated pair of spring arms which normally engage the inner side of the panel at all times, provides an arrangement in which the unit cannot become loose and rattle, yet the same can be attached and detached readily, and when attached the part is automatically locked against accidental displacement.

The mounting means of the present invention is particularly adapted for the attachment of switches and simila. electrical units to thin metal panels, such as are usually found in the instrument boards and other parts of automobile bodies, and the present invention is also particularly adapted for electrical units in which operto provide the central panel or supporting means on which th unit itself is mounted although the present invention is not to be limited to mounting units of this latter character.

From the above, therefore, it will be apparent that the present invention is not necessarily limited to the particular details shown and described above, but that, in fact, widely different means may be employed in the practice of the broader aspects of our invention.

What we claim, therefore, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination of a first member havin a pair of lugs, a second member having opening means to receive said lugs and to accommodate rotative movement of said first member to carry said lugs into locking engagement with the second member, and a pronged spring carried by said first member and rotatable therewith, said spring having one part bearing against said second member for maintaining said lugs tightly in engagement with said second member and another part positioned to engage in portions of said opening means when said first part has been turned into locking position.

2. In combination, a supporting plate having lug receiving openings, a bracket having a body portion in one plane and two lugs having oppositely angled ends disposed in a parallel plane spaced to receive said plate therebetween, and a spring carried by said bracket and provided with I; I

two arms, one bearing against said plate at the bracket side thereof and the other positioned to snap into one of said openings after the lugs have been inserted into the openings and the bracket moved to interlock said lugs with the plate.

3. The combination with a supporting member having a slot, of a bracket, a pair of lugs on said bracket adapted to be inserted through said slot from one side of the supporting member and to engage the opposite side thereof when the bracket is turned, and spring means carried by said bracket and rotatable therewith into a position to engage in said slots when said bracket is turned to carry said lugs into a position engaging said opposite side of the supporting member, said spring means having cam portions engageable with the sides of the slots to facilitate turning said bracket into released position.

4. The combination with a supporting member having a slot, of a bracket, 9. pair of lugs on said bracket adapted to be inserted through said slot from one side of the supporting member and to engage the opposite side thereof when the bracket is turned, one side of each of said lugs having a cam portion to facilitate turning said bracket into locked position, and spring means carried by said bracket and rotatable therewith into a position to engage in said slots when said bracket is turned to carry said lugs into a position engaging said opposite side of the supporting member. said spring means having cam portions engageable with the side of the slots to facilitate turning said bracket into released position.

5. In combination, a supporting member having a generally circular opening therein and generally diametrically opposed notches, a bracket having a pair of attaching lugs, said lugs being adapted to pass through said notches when said bracket is mounted on said panel to engage said panel adjacent said notches when the bracket has been turned to carry the lugs away from the notches, and a spring member secured to ating parts are required to extend through the said bracket and having two pairs of arms, one

pair being disposed relative to said lugs so that when said bracket is turned into locking position said pair of arms will drop into said notches to yieldingly hold said bracket in locked position, the other pair of arms engaging the side of the supporting member opposite said lugs and holding the latter against the supporting member while said first pair of arms are disposed in said notches.

6. The combination set forth in claim 5 further characterized by said supporting member consisting of a panel having a cup-shaped part secured to one side of said panel, said notches being formed in said cup-shaped part.

7. In combination, a wall-like supporting member having a hole therethrough, the bore of said hole having a plurality of grooves, a member to be supported comprising a portion adapted to be disposed in the bore of said hole and having lugs, said lugs being adapted to register with said grooves and to be passed through the hole in the support and to be rotated out of register with said grooves on the opposite side of the support, a resilient stop element mounted on said second member and being spaced from said lugs by not less than the length of the bore whereby said lugs and said element grip opposite sides of the first member, and a resilient locking lug carried by the second member adjacent the said element, said locking lug being out of register angularly with the first named lugs whereby the locking lug may drop into theadjacent end of a groove on the side of the supporting member opposite the holding lugs when the holding lugs arerotated out of register with the grooves. 8. In combination, a wall-like supporting member having a hole therethrough and a plurality.

of notches spaced around the circumference 0! ment being attached to a plate which is adapted to be supported by said supporting member in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the supporting member and perpendicular to the axis of the hole, said plate having lugs offset from its circumference in a. plane substantially parallel to that of the plate and being adapted to register with said notches, be passed therethrough and then rotated out of register with said notches on the opposite side of said support from said plate, a resilient plate positioned between said first plate and said lugs and being spaced from said lugs not less than the thickness of said supporting element, said resilient plate having on its circumference spring arms bent from the plane of said plates toward said lugs, all of said arms springing against one side of said support to hold the lugs up against the other side when the lugs are inserted through the notches of said support and rotated out of register therewith, some of said spring arms being additionally adapted to spring into said notches when said lugs have been rotated a predetermined amount, cam means on one edge of each of said lugs to facilitate rotation of said lugs out of register with said notches, and cam means on said second named set of spring arms for both lockingsaid first plate and supported element into fixed position against'said supporting member and for camming said spring arms outof saidnotches when disengagement of said supported and supporting elements is desired.

' WALTER NEWMAN, Administrator of vthelilstate of Harold Catron, Deceased.

' FRANK A. DO'I'I'ERER.

said hole, an element to be supported, said ele-v 

